Which term describes an aquifer where water is under pressure?

Which term describes an aquifer where water is under pressure?

• A. Arable farming
• B. Asthenosphere
• C. Biogas
• D. Artesian aquifer

Answer: (D)

Groundwater under pressure in a confined aquifer is the idea here. When an aquifer is trapped between impermeable layers, recharge occurs at a higher elevation, creating a hydraulic head that pushes the water up. If you drill into this pressurized system, the water can rise to the surface without pumping—that’s what defines an artesian aquifer. The other terms relate to different concepts: arable farming is about growing crops on farmland, the asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth's mantle, and biogas is fuel produced from organic waste.

Groundwater under pressure in a confined aquifer is the idea here. When an aquifer is trapped between impermeable layers, recharge occurs at a higher elevation, creating a hydraulic head that pushes the water up. If you drill into this pressurized system, the water can rise to the surface without pumping—that’s what defines an artesian aquifer. The other terms relate to different concepts: arable farming is about growing crops on farmland, the asthenosphere is a layer of the Earth's mantle, and biogas is fuel produced from organic waste.